Electrode for use in electro-metallurgical processes



(No Model.)

P. HEROULT. ELECTRODE EOE USE IN ELEGTRO'METALLURGIGAL PROGESSES.

No. 473,117. Patented Apr. 19, 1892.

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INVENTOR PAU L HEROU LT.

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F D V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL HEROULT, OF NEUIIAUSEN, SIVITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATES ALUMINIUM METAL COMPANY, OF NEWV YORK.

ELECTRODE FOR USE IN ELECTRO-METALLURGICAL PROCESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,117, dated April 19, 1892.

Application filed September 3, 1889. Serial No. 322.878. (N0 specimens.) Patented in England December 7,1887. No. 16,853.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PAUL HEROULT, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Neuhausen, in the Republic of Switzerland, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electrodes for Use in Electro- Metallurgical Processes, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent of Great Britain No. 16,853, dated December 7,1887,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved electrode which has been designed with especial reference for use in certain electrolytical processes for the reduction of aluminium, silicon, or other metals from their refractory oxides, but which may be employed for various other electro-metallurgical or electrochemical processes as well; and its object is to render possible the concentration of the electric energy at the point of the electrode without wasteful expenditure thereof arising from the resistance of the electrode.

The general character of my improvements may be outlined by noting that the electrode is composed, mainly, of carbon, but has combined therewith a metal which shall be one or more of the normal constituents of the useful product of the operation, and that the carbon of the electrode consists either of a single block or of a plurality of strips or rods, which maybe secured together in a number of different ways-as, for instance, by casting a metal around them or by clamps or locking-pins.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a modified form. Fig. 3 is a plan view of still another modification, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the electrode and crucible in position for operation.

In all the figures the body of the electrode consists of carbon, and its resistance is reduced by combining a metal therewith. This is accomplished in the form shown in Fig. 1 by preparing a block of carbon for baking with a core passed through its center, where by the carbon A will, when cool, have a cen= tral opening B extending therethrough. Lat eral holes I) are then bored in the carbon the use of an electric current.

block and the whole is filled with cast metal, such as copper or iron.

In Fig. 2 the electrode consists of a number of carbon slabs 0, arranged side by side and secured together by two plates of metal 0 c on the outside of the carbon slabs, which are clamped by clamps c e',the lower one 6 being adjustable lengthwise of the electrode. A metal plate, as d, may also be placed in the center of the carbon, or the outside metal plates may be dispensed with and the central one alone employed.

In Fig. 3 the electrode consists of four carbon rods D, arranged as shown and secured together with cast metal F, which surrounds and fills up the interstices between the rods.

An electrode formed in any of the difierent ways explained above is adapted for use in combination with a crucible, such as in Fig.

4, containing an electrolyte adapted to be reduced by the action of an electric current in accordance with the process described in my patent, No. 387,87 6, granted August 14:, 1888, or other metallurgical processes involving Dis the crucible,E is a refractory oxide, and E is a metal to be alloyed therewith. G is the electrode, serving herein as the anode, and II I are the electrical connections which In this figure complete the circuit from a suitable source of electricity to the metal combined with the anode, and thence to the electrolyte and the cathode, as is apparent from the drawings.

The electrode being used in combination with a crucible for the reduction of ores, it is essential that the metal in the anode be the same as one or more of the normal constituents of the useful product of the desired operation, because the metal would otherwise commingle with the elements of the bath and form an impurity in the product. Thus if an aluminium bronze is to be formed the metal in the electrode may be either copper or aluminium or aluminium bronze while if a ferro-aluminium is the product desired the 5 IOO of the electrode, whereby such metal is adapted to lower the electrical resistance of the electrode when in use.

2. An electrode for use in electro-metallurgical or electro-chemical processes, consisting of a plurality of carbon strips and a metal cast around the strips and extending substantially the entire length of, the electrode, whereby such metal holds the strips in place and lowers the electrical resistance of the electrode when in use.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 16th day of August, 1889.

PAUL HEROULT.

Witnesses Brain). '1. ATKIN, RICHARD E. OBRIEN. 

